The initiative represents a strategic partnership between Brunel University Business School and Nigerian educational leaders, strengthened through the Brunel-FCT collaboration. The programme provides participants with a blend of academic instruction and hands-on experience through projects built to local needs. This combination provides entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills necessary to address real-world challenges in their communities.
It includes:
- 20 hours of self-taught online learning focused on diagnosing start-up potential and defining an actionable plan to guide participants throughout the programme.
- 20 hours of online workshops (organised via Zoom and delivered by experienced entrepreneurship educators from Brunel Business School, Brunel University of London), where participants will receive hands-on training in design thinking, business modelling, prototyping, market fit, and pitching.
- Ongoing mentorship opportunities, providing personalized guidance to help participants overcome early-stage challenges.
- Focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges, encouraging participants to address issues like air quality, renewable energy, sustainable fashion, and mental health.
- The programme culminates in Demo Day, where participants present their solutions to a panel of investors, industry and business leaders, and experts. Winning teams may secure investment, additional mentorship, and further development opportunities.
Key Objectives:
- Empower Nigerian entrepreneurs to identify gaps in their communities and develop innovative, entrepreneurial solutions.
- Provide practical education and tools for start-up creation and growth, with a focus on sustainability and social impact.
- Foster collaboration between Nigerian entrepreneurs and UK innovators and experts, leveraging the global network and expertise of Brunel University and its partners, including different stakeholders in the London entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: 3 Feb 2025
- Programme Start Date: 10 Feb 2025
- Online Workshops: 6 sessions (approximately 2 hours each) from February to April 2025
- Final project Deadline: 25 April 2025
- Demo Day (Final Project Presentations): 5 May 2025
- Awards Announcement/programme ends: 12 April 2025
Intended Impact
The programme is designed for long-term impact, with plans to increase entrepreneurial education. By fostering a new generation of innovators, the initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs and contribute to broader economic growth through the development of start-up entrepreneurship skills. Additionally, the programme offers the potential for internationalization by providing participants with access to global markets and networks. With Brunel's strong presence in the London entrepreneurial ecosystem, participants can leverage valuable connections, resources, and opportunities to expand their start-up initiatives beyond Nigeria.
Key outcomes include:
- Development of an entrepreneurial curriculum to address the needs of local entrepreneurs.
- Creation of skills acquisition programmes to build confidence in entrepreneurship and start up building.
- Expansion of entrepreneurial education to reach a significant number of participants across regions.
- Support for entrepreneurial projects that address local challenges, facilitated by ongoing mentorship and potential funding opportunities.